Chapter 1: The Invitations

"You're not going to invite her, now are you, dear?" Queen Leah said looking over her husband's shoulder as he examined the list.

"Why of course! She simply must come. It would be an insult if she didn't."

"But Stefan, look at what she's become. She's a monster. She constantly terrorizes the people of the kingdom."

"But Leah, my dear. Surely you don't consider scaring people in the streets a crime? She's just having some fun." King Stefan arose from his seat and rolled up the parchment. He stared at his wife intently, placing gentle hands on her shoulders. "Maleficent will come to Aurora's christening. It's the right thing to do, after all."

Leah sighed. "I hope you're right."

"Of course I am," said King Stefan giving her a peck on the cheek. "We'll send out the invitations on the morrow. For now think it's time we got some sleep." He picked up the candle off the table and guided his wife through the dank hallways of the castle back to their room.

As Queen Leah lay in bed, she couldn't help thinking that inviting Maleficent would be a mistake. Leah knew that the fairy's antics weren't purely for fun. Well, perhaps they were fun for her, but she knew that people were beginning to fear her. There were rumors going around saying that it was Maleficent going through the market and stealing people's possessions. She also heard stories of people being turned into pigs and crows as they were browsing the market. The only one whose power is said to be as powerful and evil as that is Maleficent. If people were going missing because of her, then there's no way they would invite her to the christening of their baby daughter.

She tossed and turned throughout the night, trying to find peace in her heart to relax. But the thought of the witch coming into their abode made her as stiff as board. Upon her back she gazed at the stone ceiling and felt herself slowly drifting off. She thought she heard a soft laughter resonate throughout the room. Her eyes darted about until she saw two orbs of yellow materializing before her, looking like eyes shining in the darkness. And then they were gone. Leah closed her eyes and prayed that the morning would come. She prayed that she would be able to convince her husband to reconsider the invitations.

"Stefan, might I have a word with you?" Leah said as she broke her fast. "Something has been troubling me lately."

"Yes, dear, what is it?" Stefan asked through a mouthful of food. "I hope it's not about Maleficent."

"Actually, it is. You see, I dreamed of her last night. It was pitch black and I saw two glowing yellow eyes floating in our room."

"In your dream? Or in reality?"

"Does it really matter? Dreams can become reality you know. I also heard laughing. A soft cackling if you will."

"You're just paranoid, Leah. Maleficent is not guilty of any serious crimes. She lives all alone on The Forbidden Mountain and only comes down to occasionally interact with the citizens of our kingdom. They're mere jests! Her enthusiasm and sense of fun would make the christening all the better! Trust me. When she does come she'll be the life of the party! And she will have to bestow a gift upon our child as will the other fairies that we invite."

"But those are the good fairies. Why are you so intent on inviting this evil fairy to our daughter's christening? Are you willing to put her in danger? I ask you this as her father, Stefan. Would you do such as thing?"

"Leah, Maleficent is not evil, I can assure you. I'm fairly certain they're just rumours going on amongst the fairies. Probably just jealous of her power ..."

"Not jealous, I think, but afraid. The things she can do Stefan!"

"Yes, quite amazing things in fact." Stefan cleared his throat and stared at her with a solemn expression. "I will hear no more of this. I shall send out the invitations at the end of this meal. She's coming, and you will just have to live with it."

"Yes, my liege."

They both proceeded to eat their meal in silence.